Residents and pet owners in the San Francisco Bay Area are on alert after the detection of leptospirosis, a potentially fatal bacterial disease, in Berkeley, California. The outbreak has raised significant public health concerns, particularly following recent heavy rainfall that has created conditions conducive to the bacteria’s survival.
Local health authorities issued the alert after discovering leptospirosis in multiple rats and at least two dogs near the Harrison Street encampment by Codornices Creek. The bacteria, which is primarily spread through the urine of infected animals, poses risks to both humans and pets, especially those exposed to contaminated water or soil. Currently, there have been no reported human cases of leptospirosis in the area.
Dogs are particularly susceptible to the disease, as explained by Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease physician at UCSF. She noted that dogs do not tend to avoid puddles in the same way humans do, leading to a higher risk of exposure. “Dogs don’t avoid puddles the way people do,” Dr. Gandhi stated in an interview with SFGATE. “They’re much more likely to be exposed.”
Leptospirosis is caused by the leptospira bacteria, which can contaminate soil and stagnant water through the urine of infected animals, primarily rats. The bacteria can survive in the environment for up to a month, heightening the risk of infection long after the initial contamination. Local officials have designated the area around the encampment as a “red zone” and are urging residents to relocate at least one-third of a mile away to facilitate cleanup and rat eradication efforts.
In response to the outbreak, the city has posted warnings, conducted environmental testing, and recommended that pet owners vaccinate their animals against leptospirosis. Free-roaming cats should also be considered for vaccination. Authorities have urged all pet owners to prevent their animals from drinking potentially contaminated water.
Symptoms of leptospirosis in humans can resemble flu-like conditions, including fever, chills, headache, sore muscles, or red eyes. Anyone who has spent time in the affected area and develops these symptoms should seek medical attention promptly, informing healthcare providers of potential exposure to leptospirosis. For dogs, signs to watch for include vomiting, jaundice, or unusual urination, necessitating urgent veterinary care.
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, another infectious disease expert at UCSF, emphasized the link between rodent activity and the potential for exposure. He remarked, “Wherever you get rats urinating and then flooding or rain, there’s potential for exposure. The combination of warmth followed by rain is kind of a bad setup for leptospirosis.”
Berkeley’s public health officer, Dr. Noemi Doohan, has stressed the importance of avoiding contact with contaminated water, mud, puddles, or areas like Codornices Creek. “Neither dogs nor people should wade in, or drink from, nearby water, mud, puddles, or Codornices Creek,” she stated in a public health release. “Provide clean water for your pets, and keep them away from sick or dead animals.”
Authorities have initiated an ongoing public health investigation, predicting that cleanup and rat eradication could take at least 30 days, which aligns with the typical lifespan of leptospirosis in soil. The city has explained that eradicating rats requires multiple cycles of baiting, carcass removal, and further baiting over time.
As the situation develops, Berkeley officials continue to monitor the health risks associated with this outbreak and encourage community cooperation in maintaining safety measures.
